adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
THE Premier Soccer League are edging closer to a new era of computerised gate controls as they are set to conduct a test run for the new ticketing system at two venues this weekend.
PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele yesterday told The Herald the league has shortlisted two bidders to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed e-ticketing system at Mandava where FC Platinum host Black Rhinos on Saturday and at the National Sports Stadium the following day when CAPS United clash with Shabanie Mine.
The project, which has been in the pipeline for some time, is expected to be implemented before the end of the year.
Ndebele said the league will chart the way forward after evaluating the trial run.
“This weekend we will have a trial run for the new ticketing system. We would want to see the feasibility of the system and we have engaged two companies to do the demonstrations.
“Like I said, it’s only a test run so we are likely to have caravans at the match venues and selected centres where tickets will be sold on the match day.
“There are two other companies that we also keen to look at after this trial run and then afterwards we will see the best way to move forward,” said Ndebele.
The PSL early this year floated tenders for the provision of stadium electronic ticketing and access control services systems and had overwhelming responses as over 20 companies showed interest in the contract.
The league wants to do away with the manual ticketing system which has already been phased out in many parts of the world.
Besides enhancing the professional outlook in modern day football business, the new computerised ticket system is hoped to solve various challenges which faced the domestic game mainly in terms of gate controls and accountability.
The system has been successful in neighbouring South Africa for years now.
The system is expected to make it easier to account for attendance statistics and gross takings from the turnstiles through the use of modern technology.
FC Platinum, who are one of the teams set to benefit from the test run, will be at home as they look to get their campaign on track against Rhinos.
Despite their attractive brand of football, the platinum miners have been inconsistent and coach Lloyd Mutasa yesterday said they needed to start collecting maximum points regularly.
FC Platinum are currently in the bottom half of the table with 13 points, seven adrift of log leaders Bosso, whom they held them to a 1-1 draw at the weekend.
“What we need now is to be winning consistently. We are playing very well and if you look at our last game at Highlanders, we had life, we dominated and created many chances but we couldn’t get enough goals.
“I am happy, though, that we did well against most of the big teams except against Dynamos but if we put into perspective our targets and how we have been measuring up it looks like we haven’t been collecting points as we should.
“However, we are not very far from those targets. But considering the competition in the league this year, I think it is imperative that we win more at home,” said Mutasa.
CAPS United will be looking to put behind them the in-house problems that have hit their camp as they return to their favourite hunting ground on the back of a 0-3 thrashing at Chapungu.
Coach Taurai Mangwiro will have a difficult task to motivate his players as morale is currently rock bottom over unpaid salaries for last month.
Yesterday the players refused to train, for about 30 minutes, before Mangwiro persuaded them to have a change of heart.
The players nearly boycotted the trip to Chapungu but club president Twine Phiri has begged for patience while they run around to settle the outstanding dues.
Defending champions Dynamos will be away at the Colliery for a date against second-placed Hwange on Sunday.
DeMbare, who rose to third place on the log standings last Sunday following the 1-0 win over Triangle, conceded that they have a lot of work to do to keep their campaign alive.
Dynamos have managed three straight wins to reduce the gap with log leaders Highlanders to a single point.
Fixtures
Tomorrow
Buffaloes v How Mine (Sakubva, SS9)
Saturday
ZPC Kariba v Chapungu (Gwanzura, SS9), FC Platinum v Black Rhinos (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Chiredzi (Luveve)
Sunday
Hwange v Dynamos (Colliery), CAPS United v Shabanie Mine (NSS, SS9), Triangle v Highlanders (Gibbo)
Monday
Harare City v Bantu Rovers (Rufaro, SS9)
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